Regional Startup Investment Rises 147% to €579M
Startup founders in RIS-eligible European regions can track more outside capital flowing into supported ventures.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Startups
The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) released its EIT Regional Innovation Scheme Annual Activity Report 2025, reporting that ventures supported by the scheme attracted €579 million in external investment in 2025, up 147% from 2024. For startup operators, the figures point to growing capital access in regional ecosystems across Europe.
Why it matters
The report quantifies how regional innovation programmes are translating support into outside funding and new companies, signalling where early-stage capital and talent are flowing. Its results cover 910 startups and scaleups created or supported in 2025 alone.
Ventures supported by the EIT Regional Innovation Scheme attracted €579 million in external investment in 2025, a 147% increase over 2024. The scheme created or supported 910 startups and scaleups that year, and cumulatively attracted €3.81 billion between 2014 and 2025.
The players
European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)
EIT is an EU body that funds and coordinates innovation communities linking education, research and business across Europe.
The details
The scheme works by supporting regional innovation ecosystems rather than individual companies alone, combining education, venture support and partner networks. In 2025, 71,445 people took part in EIT education programmes and 1,680 partners contributed to regional ecosystems. Six new EIT Community Hubs opened, which brought in 112 new partners and scouted more than 335 applicants. Hubs also referred 166 startups to EIT opportunities.
Timeline
EIT RIS launched in 2014.
Between 2014 and 2025, the scheme upskilled approximately 400,000 people and supported 7,410 ventures.
The 2025 results were released in the annual activity report, with six new Hubs opening during 2025.
Market Landscape
The EIT Regional Innovation Scheme, launched in 2014, has built a cumulative record of €3.81 billion in external investment across more than a decade. The 2025 increase of 147% stands out against that longer trajectory of regional venture support across Europe.
Startup operators in RIS-eligible regions should consider the scheme's partner networks and Hub referral channels as possible sources of investor introductions and talent. Founders tracking regional funding availability should note the 147% rise in external investment reported for 2025.
The takeaway
Founders in regional ecosystems should track whether Community Hub referrals and partner networks translate into investment in the next reporting cycle. Operators can factor the reported 147% rise in external investment into planning for regional funding rounds.
Further reading
For broader context on how early-stage companies raise capital, see the Startups section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Science Business.
